Living and creating in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Isabella is inspired by the multi-sensory beauty of the forest, lakes, rivers, and vistas nearby. Isabella became involved in the visual arts 50 years ago while completing her liberal arts undergraduate work. While teaching for 31 years, Isabella completed graduate work in art and education, writing an extensive guide to teaching middle school visual arts, and ultimately, doctoral research centered on the brain as related to learning styles. She also continued an active art studio life, taking many of her ideas into her art classes, challenging students to experiment making personal statements about their own life experiences.

Throughout her studio career Isabella has developed both abstract and representational styles that evoke a passionate response from the viewer. She loves to experiment with unusual techniques and materials. Isabella utilizes, canvas, woven and nonwoven, silk on canvas, repurposed and recycled fiber in her art. She works with acrylics, oils, ink tense colored pencils, pastels, inks, and dyes. Her work has been described as edgy, color saturated, and evocative.

Isabella actively donates work to various community nonprofits, local libraries, and displays her work in a variety of settings throughout the region.